Warner to focus on other duties

Jack Warner, mere hours after the announcement of his decision to resign from FIFA, says he now concentrate exclusively on his duties as Minister of Works and Transport in the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Warner, who also served as President of CONCACAF and the Caribbean Football Union, added that he would continue to encourage the youth of the Caribbean and the world to deepen their involvement in football.

“With my withdrawal from service in international football, I shall, henceforth, be concentrating exclusively on my lifelong commitment to the service of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, currently as Chairman of the major party in our governing coalition and as a Cabinet Minister in the Government of our Republic,” the Warner stated from Port of Spain, Trinidad.

“I shall continue to encourage the youth of the Caribbean and the world to deepen their involvement in football, which has lifted so many young people out of hopelessness and risk to personal achievement, while bringing glory to their respective countries.

“By letter dated June 17, 2011, and effective on that date – as confirmed by the world football governing body – I resigned the positions I had long held as FIFA Vice President, President of CONCACAF and President of the Caribbean Football Union.

“This decision is by my own volition and self-determination; albeit it comes during the sequel to the contentious Mohammed bin Hammam meeting in Port of Spain in May with CFU Delegates,” said Warner.

“I am convinced, and I am advised by Counsel, that since my actions did not extend beyond facilitating the meeting that gave Mr. bin Hammam an opportunity to pursue his aborted bid for the FIFA presidency, I would be fully exonerated by any objective arbiter.

“I have, nonetheless, arrived at the decision to withdraw from FIFA affairs in order to spare FIFA, CONCACAF and, in particular, CFU and its membership, from further acrimony and divisiveness arising from this and related issues.

The ex-FIFA Vice President said he felt gratified by FIFA acknowledging his contributions.

“I am gratified that FIFA has acknowledged my service to international and regional football over several decades. It is also a special source of satisfaction to me that during my tenure, capacities and facilities in the Caribbean were upgraded to levels that enabled the region to host several FIFA World Cup Finals.

I sincerely hope that the Caribbean Football Union will continue to fight above its weight in FIFA and CONCACAF affairs,” Warner ended.

Warner had been a member of the FIFA Executive Committee since 1983, and CONCACAF President since 1990. He was re-elected for a new term in the spring of 2011.

In 1983, Warner became a CONCACAF Vice-President and also joined the FIFA Executive Committee.He was elected CONCACAF President in 1990, unseating Joaquin Soria Terrazas who had held the seat for twenty years. Warner was appointed as a FIFA Vice-President in 1997.